Enduring June

We are 23 days into the month. Originally, I signed up for a three-month stay in Silver City.  My initial apartment lease ends on June 30.  My new lease runs till July 31-- of next year. No regrets. BUT – the month of June is hell here. Everyone I meet tells me that. The humidity is in the single digits most days. The Silver fire has grown to 70,000+ acres and, while 20% contained, it is still growing northward. One report said that the humidity in the area of the forest fire was at 2%. Temperatures will continue in the low 90’s to 100 degrees for many more days to come. Ok, I’m whining. Here’s the forecast temps for Tucson over the next 10 days: 102,101,104,106,110,106,108,110,110,110. And Phoenix is even worse: 105,103,108,110,117,111,112,115,115,113. I guess I shouldn’t complain.

Everyone is hoping we get decent monsoons this year. It is the best option for knocking down the Silver Fire. Typically, July and August are the rainiest months for Silver City. The temperature cools, the parched earth gets respite, the people rejoice. But since we are in a historically severe drought, the locals are not counting on anything.

Here’s the upside – It gets cool at night at this elevation, in the 50’s and 60’s. So I’ve been getting up at 6 each morning and hiking with friends. We hike the Boston Hill trails, or San Vicente trail or just walk the neighborhoods. We average 2-4 miles a day. Usually I’ll go out again in the evening sticking to the shadiest streets. It really is beautiful here. I walk outside most mornings and still feel like I’ve taken some mood enhancing drug – the colors so rich, the sky so blue. Here’s some photos from the streets and trails around Silver City. 

The Streets:

 

Pink Dusk From My Street

Morning Clouds From My Street

Beautiful Gate

Another Beautiful Gate

Still Beautiful

Pink Cactus

Pink!

Golden Cactus Blooms

Nectarines

The Trails:

Little Walnut Trail

Boston Hill

Boston Hill

Boston Hill Panorama View

Boston Hill Hideaway

Little Tree at the Hideaway